This painting was the central panel of a triptych in S. Maria della Scala, Verona. The dead dragon at the feet of the Virgin and the olive branch held by the Christ Child may refer to the ending of the 1516 siege of Verona.

The commission of this work was connected with an outbreak of the plague from 1510-12. One wing by Morando in the collection represented 'Saint Roch', the other showed Saint Sebastian. Both these saints are invoked against the plague.

A small scroll contains illegible remains of writing and a signature, based on the remains of a true one.